Health Nut Hero: Katie

How long have you been a health nut in training (and what does that look like for you)?
I wouldn’t consider myself a “health nut” exactly, but more of a “try to find a healthy balance” nut. I started losing weight in August 2009, and I gradually made healthier changes throughout my journey. I used Weight Watchers and calorie counting to get to my goal (not both at the same time). I also started running for exercise, which has had a dramatic effect on my health and body!

What motivated you to begin your journey to health?
I wanted to be a better mom to my boys. They were 5 and 3 at the time, and my eldest wanted to learn to ride a bike. I tried running alongside his bike to teach him, but I couldn’t even make it down the street. It was very eye-opening to me, and I felt like a horrible mom. I vowed that I’d get the weight off so that I could teach my younger son to ride a bike when the time came.

Who have been your biggest supporters?
My husband and my sister have been fantastic, and have really been my biggest cheerleaders through the whole journey. Also, my blog readers are awesome! When I’m having a bad day or a tough time in general, they make me realize I’m not alone.

How has your choice to get healthy impacted other areas of your life?
I’m a much more active person in general, which has helped me to be a better mom to my kids. My goal was to set a good example for them. My sister and I have gotten a lot closer, and she’s one of my best friends now. I’m shy and introverted, but losing the weight and getting healthy has definitely made me step out of my comfort zone. I feel much more confident!

What piece of advice would you give to someone who is just starting out?
Only make changes that you’re willing to live with forever! If you don’t want to exercise for a couple hours a day, six days a week, for the rest of your life, then don’t do it now. Live your life now as you want to do forever. It’s easy to get too aggressive when setting goals, but it can set you up for failure. Instead, set realistic goals that you can manage.

Thanks for sharing, Katie! We’re so happy to have you as a friend in the health & weight loss community! Your willingness to share about your own skin removal surgery made me much more comfortable during mine, and I love the name of your blog!

To follow Katie’s journey, please visit her blog (cleverly named Runs for Cookies) and like her FB page!

If you’d like to share your own story (regardless of your current chapter!), we’d love to hear about it! Check out this page for more details.

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Welcome to the Blog

Grab a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine!), and find a comfy chair. My name is Nicole. This is my story of feeling lost, finding hope, discovering myself, and changing my body along the way. It's ugly and raw, yet powerful and gorgeous. Most of all, it's real. I hope you choose to start from the beginning, but be kind in your judgments. The girl who started this blog was nervous and vulnerable. And I'm happy to report that she's (mostly) confident and proud today.